We’re less than a week away from release day for Pets in Space 6! It’s so exciting! 💖
Be sure to pre-order your copy so you don’t miss out on this limited edition anthology.
My story this year is book 15 of The Department of Homeworld Security. Can you believe the adventure has been going on for that long? And it’s really just getting started!
Book 15 is called Trade Secrets, and in it, you’ll learn the answer to one of the questions readers have been longing to know: What is the deal with the super-smart space cats that were born aboard the Reckoning in Import Quarantine??
You have to wait a little longer to find out, but in the meantime, enjoy this excerpt. It’s after the bump, of course.
Trade Secrets by Cassandra Chandler
Available in the Pets in Space 6 Anthology on October 5, 2021
Excerpt:
“If you are done staring at each other, perhaps we could return to the ship?” Cyan said.
“Sorry,” Xan said. “I just had to see the look on her face when this happens.”
“When what happens?” Gwen asked.
His smile grew, and he took a step back.
Behind him, lights shimmered into existence, illuminating the gunmetal gray exterior of a small ship. Its rectangular shape was eerily similar to many of the shuttles she’d seen in sci-fi shows and movies.
The ship rested on two long runners shaped a bit like the bottom of helicopters, only thicker. As she watched, a hatch opened in the back of the vessel, slowly descending to act as a ramp.
Her heart pounded and she clutched the kitten closer to her chest. Maybe a little too hard. Bandit let out a squeaking meow, then started squirming. He twisted till she couldn’t hold on, then leapt to the ground.
“Bandit, no!” Gwen prepared to chase him, but the kitten stopped, then turned and stared at her expectantly, his head cocked at an angle.
“Oh,” she said. “I was afraid you were going to run off.”
“Why would he do that?” Cyan rippled into view. She gestured to the ship. “He knows this will take him to his home.”
Gwen felt a little tug at that. She wanted his home to be with her.
Or maybe for her home to be with him.
She looked back over at Xan, her cheeks burning and her arms tingling with goosebumps. Bandit hurried over to her and wove in and out among her ankles, purring loudly. Then he ran to Xan and did the same.
Xan bent down to pick him up, but the kitten shot for the shuttle before Xan could reach him, running onboard. Bandit paused at the top of the ramp, and turned toward her and meowed.
Despite Cyan’s insistence that he was just a regular Earth cat, Gwen remained skeptical. This was the smartest cat she’d ever seen. He really did seem to be communicating with her, and clearly at that.
“I’m coming,” Gwen said.
Bandit let out a happy meow, then turned and ran deeper into the shuttle.
Yeah, that was one smart cat.
This couple us so awesome. And I love Bandit so much! Make sure you pre-order Pets in Space 6 now so you can read Trade Secrets as soon as it’s released!
Pets in Space® is back for a new year of adventures!
Join the incredible authors in this year’s Pets in Space 6 for another out-of-this-world adventure. This award-winning, USA TODAY Bestselling anthology is packed full of your favorite Pets in Space®. Featuring 11 original, never-before-released stories from some of today’s bestselling science fiction romance and fantasy authors, Pets in Space 6 continues their vital support of Hero-Dogs.org, the non-profit charity that improves quality of life for veterans of the U.S. military and first-responders with disabilities. Don’t miss out on this limited-edition anthology before it’s too late!
Pets in Space 6 is edited by Carol Van Natta. Contributing authors: S.E. Smith (NY Times and USA TODAY bestselling author), Veronica Scott (USA TODAY bestselling author), Honey Phillips, Carol Van Natta (USA TODAY bestselling author), Cassandra Chandler (USA TODAY bestselling author), J.C. Hay (USA TODAY bestselling author), S.J. Pajonas (USA TODAY bestselling author), Greta van der Rol, Deborah A. Bailey, Melisse Aires, and Kyndra Hatch.
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